DepEd cuts boxing from elementary division of Palarong Pambansa

There will be no boxing at the Palarong Pambansa this year, at least not in the elementary division, the Department of Education said.

 

DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro disclosed this in a memorandum dated Feb. 12, as preparations continue for the 2014 Palarong Pambansa from May 4 to 10 in Sta. Cruz, Laguna.

 

"Boxing in the elementary division shall be excluded," Luistro said in the memo.

 

Calls to ban boxing in schools mounted in December following the death of a 16-year-old student boxer who was hurt at a regional athletic meet in Zambales.

 

Jonas Garcia, a fourth-year high school student from Bulacan, died at the University of Santo Tomas hospital in Manila after blacking out at a boxing match. According to reports, Garcia's opponent has been undergoing counseling because he was greatly affected by what happened

 

Luistro also said futsal, billiards, wushu and wrestling will remain demonstration sports. This means that while the winners will be awarded medals, their victories will have no bearing on the standings of the regions they represent.

 

Sipa Takraw in the elementary division shall be renamed Sepak Takraw Jr., while Sepak Takraw for girls shall be added to the high school division as a demonstration event.

 

Luistro also ordered the National Executive Committee convened. It will be chaired by the undersecretary for regional operations and the local host Palaro executive committee led by the Laguna governor and the DepEd Region 4-A (Calabarzon) director.

 

"The DepEd regional offices shall organize their respective athletic delegation(s) comprising the best student-athletes, coaches and officials," he said.

 

Meanwhile, the DepEd said the 2014 Philippine Youth Games Batang Pinoy and the Philippine National Games will be held from August to November, by cluster:

— JDS, GMA News